Texas senior Jackson Jeffcoat has been named the winner of the 2013 Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the top defensive end in college football, the Ted Hendricks Foundation announced Wednesday.

Jeffcoat, who was named the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, ranks third in the FBS with 12 sacks. Alex Okafor, who tallied 12.5 last season, is the only other Longhorn to record more sacks than Jeffcoat in the last 29 seasons.

The three-time Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week led Texas with 80 total tackles and 21 tackles for loss this season.

A native of Plano, Texas, Jeffcoat tallied 21 tackles and five sacks in the last two games of the regular season. On the year, he also led the team with 18 quarterback pressures and had three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, interception and three pass breakups.

Jeffcoat has made some of his biggest plays at pivotal times for the Longhorns. In a 31-21 win over Kansas State in September, Jeffcoat recorded both of his sacks on the Wildcats' final two drives to help prevent a comeback. Against Iowa State, his interception on the Cyclones' final drive helped seal a 31-30 win. His two sacks against Oklahoma came on third and fourth down, with the fourth-down sack coming in the fourth quarter and ending OU's final drive. His 12 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in conference play are more than any other Big 12 player.

In his career, Jeffcoat is averaging 0.68 sacks in 39 games, which ranks No. 4 on the FBS active list. He ranks third in school history with 59 career tackles for loss and eighth with 26.5 sacks.

On-field performance, leadership ability and contributions to school and community are some of the criteria used to determine the award winner.

In addition to his on-field achievements, Jeffcoat has made a number of contributions off the field. Jeffcoat participates in a "Read Across America" program, reading to students at a dual-language elementary school in both English and Spanish. He's one of a number of Longhorns that have regularly visited patients at Dell Children's Hospital on the Friday's before home games, and he serves as a mentor at Austin elementary and middle schools as part of the Longhorn Leaders Program.

Jeffcoat edged out finalists Vic Beasley of Clemson, Shilique Calhoun of Michigan State, Brad Daly of Montana State, Michael Sam of Missouri and Marcus Smith of Louisville for the award.

Current college coaches, former players and coaches, media members and pro football personnel professionals voted in the selection process. Jeffcoat will be honored in the spring of 2014 at a time and place to be determined.

Jeffcoat is the second Longhorn to win the Hendricks Award; Brian Orakpo won it in 2008.